This is not an account of a Shahrukh fan, but simply of a writer, who feels that the actor has been misunderstood (yet again) by the very nation which claims to have made him King Khan. I feel a major point missed out by most publications and especially by the virtual world is the fact that SRK was not spewing his angst against India but against the mentality that prevails, not only in India but all over the post 9/11 world (his reference to the holdup at an American airport). He says that he is a Khan, not a Khan in India.

It was Hafiz Saeed, chief of Jammat-u-Daawah, who took a completely innocent, well written article and turned it around with just a few ill-intentioned words. We must be blamed to take his bait and react and condemn a person who is simply stating the fact that Muslims are looked down upon in every corner of the world for the fault of a few misguided people.

In
Focus

The article, which initially did not raise any questions, drew fire only after after Hafiz Saeed asked SRK to come to Pakistan. Only at this point people woke up from their slumber to criticize the actor. Media took the war of the words to another level by stating that the King Khan was playing the 'victim card’. Weren't we supposed to be a democratic country where the right to expression and speech is a fundamental right?! He is not hurting any sentiments, not disrespecting any religion, just giving voice to his own feelings, which, I am sure many would identify with- not only in India but across the world.

And most importantly, why is everybody ignoring the bits where he is talking of love being the only truth, religion being a deeply personal choice and raising a secular family. All in all, again I would like to say that although I love the man for what he is, after the Outlook article, I respect him more.

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